With May’s prudence and eventual benevolence, we will finally be able to exhale as warming temperatures mean we can soon begin to plant. May, after all, means Mother’s Day, and Mother’s Day means flowers, so what better way to honor Mom than with native plants and flowers that are as unique and beautiful as she? Think and shop outside the big box stores with some of these *readily available and amazing options:
Sand Coreopsis
Cheery, bright yellow, daisy-like flowers with golden centers bloom on slender downy stems June – September. Prefers full sun and moist, well-drained soil. Grows 12-18″ tall and 12-18″ wide. Works well as border plant or in native or cottage gardens. Attracts butterflies and bees.
Purple Prairie Clover
Purple thimble-shaped flowers bloom atop sprays of stems July – August amongst delicate foliage. Prefers full sun and dry soil. Grows 24-36″ tall and 8-12″ wide. Attracts butterflies, bees and other wildlife.
Blue Wild Indigo
Upright spikes of purplish-blue flowers bloom above green foliage May – June. After blooming, ornamental seed pods develop and persist into Winter. Prefers sun to partial sun, and moist, well-drained soil. Grows 3-4′ tall and 2-3′ wide. Attracts wildlife and butterflies. Drought tolerant. Deer and rabbit resistant.
Cardinal Flower
Striking red, flowering spikes bloom July – September atop tall stems. Prefers full sun to partial shade and moist soil. Grows 3-4′ tall and 18-24″ wide. Attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, bees and other wildlife. Deer resistant.
Wild Bergamot
Masses of fragrant, pale lavender flowers bloom July – September amongst aromatic foliage, sometimes used in teas. Prefers full sun to partial shade, and moist, well-drained soil. Grows 3-4′ tall and 24-36″ wide. Attracts butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators. Deer and rabbit resistant.
Wild Petunia
Pale purple flowers bloom amongst low-growing foliage May – October. Prefers full sun to partial shade, and moist, well-drained soil. Grows 12-18″ tall and 18-24″ wide. Attracts pollinators. Deer resistant.
Let’s face it. Moms deserve the best! Reach out to Sweeney’s today to purchase any one of these plants and so many more (*while supplies last). Skip the ordinary. Skip the lines at the big box stores, and make this Mother’s Day special, memorable, and a little bit wild with these unique and beautiful natives. We proudly serve the communities of Villa Park, Elmhurst, Oakbrook, Oakbrook Terrace, Glen Ellyn, Lombard, Wood Dale, Itasca, and more!
Sweeney’s: A Plant Based Company
Plant of the Week
Plantain-leaved Pussytoes
Dainty, white flower clusters, reminiscent of kittens’ toes, bloom atop single stems amongst attractive, semi evergreen, greenish-gray foliage early Spring – early Summer. Prefers full sun and dry soil. Grows 8-12″ tall and 12-18″ wide. Attracts pollinators and other wildlife.
“May your life be like a wildflower, growing freely in the beauty and joy of each day.”
– Native American Proverb
Best wishes,
Kim Sweeney
Choosing native plants offers many benefits. Once established, they require little to no care. They attract pollinators and other wildlife. In many cases they are the “OG’s” of the perennial world, meaning many of the hybrids have their origins in these native beauties. Try some of these wonderful plants, sit back and enjoy them year after year…
OG’s of the perennial world? I love it!